81 LXXXI. The Story (1/2)

”Boy, you're 18, but you talk like an old wise man. Your determination is a breath of fresh air for my old, rusty spirit” Egill said.

Dag sighed, looking down.

”Brann” said the Master Of Healing.

Dag immediately looked up at him, listening intently to what he had to say.

”Magni probably talked you about him. He was our Warchief. He was as determined as you are, but he had decided to tackle the problem by going another way. He wanted to become King of all Vikings. Under his command, we fought several wars and emerged victoriously. But it couldn't last forever. His personal ambition pushed him to go further, until he lost his head, believing himself to be more powerful than anyone else” Egill said.

”I know what happened to him. I know about the battle against Lies Of Loki” said Dag, who recalled the words of Asa and Gridd.

”During that battle, we allied with the Sons Of Freya and fought like one great Clan, as you said before. But victory was not enough for him. He wanted to kill their commander, to prove his supremacy, putting the lives of all of us and the allies of the other clan at risk”.

”What? I didn't know this version. All I knew was that he had died in battle because someone wanted to take over his n° 6 emblem” Dag said, puzzled.

Egill walked a few meters away and opened a trunk that was near the wall. He took a small metal vessel from the inside.

He put it on the table in front of Dag, who didn't understand.

”Brann was in love. You, Earthlings, are more attached to this concept than us, born here on Skjold. In Viking culture, love weakens. In my opinion, the truth lies in the middle. But that was the rule for him. He loved your foster mother so much... he liked to exterminate his opponents to brag before her. It was because of a woman that we lost our most valiant warrior and were forced to retreat to the Temple Of Orn, to remain neutral to the Clans wars” Egill continued.

The man took a water bottle, detaching it from his belt.

He poured the liquid contained in it into the container. It looked like normal water.

Dag did not answer, he was trying to store the information that his Master was providing him.

Egill took a knife and cut himself in the palm of his hand.

”Master, what are you doing?”

Egill did not answer. He clenched his fist, dropping a few drops of his blood into the water of the vessel, which turned red.

”I want to trust you, Dag. In your eyes, I see hope for a better future for our clan. I'll take you there” he said.

”Where? What are you talking about?” asked Dag.

Egill grabbed his wrist and with a quick gesture cut him on the back of his hand.

”Ouch!”

He put his hand on Dag's, matching the two cuts and dipping them both into the water.

Egill's eyes turned white.

Dag looked at him frightened.

His pupils were turned backward and from his mouth, he emitted strange verses.

”Master Egill! Are you feeling good?!” said Dag, when he felt a chill starting from his hand submerged in water and running through his arm until it reached his neck and head.

At that point, suddenly, Dag closed his eyes.

A few seconds passed before he could reopen them.

In that short amount of time, he heard a noise of the wind and a feeling of cold.

He opened his eyes, looking down.

His feet were completely submerged in snow, which covered his calves down to his knees.